Antibody Discovery Associate Scientist

Gsk; Aston End; On-site; GBP 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

GSK is seeking an enthusiastic antibody discovery associate scientist for its Stevenage site, with relocation to Cambridge planned by early 2029. The role is lab-centric, focusing on integrating yeast-based or phage display with in silico design to advance therapeutic antibodies.

You will contribute to Large Molecule Research in a world‑leading R&D facility, using AI-driven design, B-cell sorting, NGS and other technologies to generate first‑in‑class leads across multiple disease targets.

Qualifications

• BSc/MSc in life sciences or equivalent.
• Experience studying or researching aspects of biopharmaceutical drug discovery or antibody discovery methods.
• Some experience of lab-based molecular biology techniques.
• Proactive and adaptable to new scientific areas and troubleshooting.
• Good analytical and data interpretation skills with ability to troubleshoot.
• Ability to deploy AI tools to enhance scientific work.
• Good scientific writing & verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and in a team.

Responsibilities

• Train and develop skills in antibody/protein discovery and engineering.
• Design and execute experiments to identify and optimize antibodies and proteins.
• Primarily use yeast-based and phage-display selection technologies with in silico design tools.
• Possibly combine other approaches such as in vivo discovery and NGS.
• Design antibodies or libraries to improve therapeutic properties.
• Represent the home team within matrix groups for diverse targets across diseases.
• Prepare and deliver verbal and written scientific communications.
• Contribute to non-lab workstreams essential to the department.

Skills

Life sciences degree

Biopharmaceutical antibody discovery

Molecular biology techniques

AI tools for biology

Scientific writing & communication

Teamwork and multitasking

Analytical skills

Adaptability

Education

BSc/MSc in life sciences

Tools

NGS

AI design tools

Job description

This job is with GSK, an inclusive employer and a member of myGwork – the largest global platform for the LGBTQ+ business community. Please do not contact the recruiter directly.

Are you a passionate scientist looking to be at the cutting edge of antibody discovery and engineering, working in a team instrumental in generating the antibody and protein therapy pipelines of the future?

If so, this role is for you!

Large Molecule Research is a department within GSK’s Research Technologies group, part of a state-of-the-art and world-leading R&D Facility. The department is dedicated to the discovery of novel and effective biopharmaceutical medicines. We comprise a number of complementary functions focused on the progression of a portfolio of biopharmaceuticals from initial antibody/protein discovery, expression and characterisation to molecular engineering, biological and physiochemical profiling.

We are currently seeking an enthusiastic and self-motivated antibody discovery associate scientist. The role will be lab-centric and will involve working in a team with access to world-leading in vitro, in vivo and AI-driven in silico antibody discovery platforms. Our scientists become experts in determining the best integrated approaches to design, discover and engineer antibodies and other proteins to both established and novel disease targets. Specifically, this role will be focussed on the integration of yeast-based or phage display platforms with in silico design approaches. Through ‘library design’ and molecular engineering you will also be optimising antibodies into therapeutic grade leads towards the ultimate goal of generating first-in-class and best-in-class antibody-based medicines.

This exciting role will give you the opportunity to apply your existing knowledge, and be further trained as an antibody selections / discovery scientist and engineer in a dynamic team of experts working at the early stages of developing world class future medicines. You would also gain exposure to other innovative technologies in use within the team such as B-cell sorting and screening, NGS, and be part of the AI-driven protein design revolution. Although predominantly lab-based, the role also involves important aspects of verbal and written communication and working within matrix teams across the department on therapeutic antibody programmes.

For candidates seeking to be located at our Stevenage site, this role will temporarily be based at Stevenage. However, the Company plans to relocate its offices to Cambridge, UK. The location of this role will therefore subsequently change to Cambridge, UK in accordance with timelines to be set by the Company. The relocation is currently proposed to take effect by early 2029

In this role you will...

• Be able to train and develop your skills within the exciting field of antibody / protein discovery and engineering.
• Be part of a team designing and executing experiments towards the identification and optimisation of antibodies and proteins.
• Primarily use yeast-based, but also phage-display, selection technologies, combined with in silico design tools
• Potentially combine other approaches such as in vivo antibody discovery, B-cell sorting and NGS.
• Design individual antibodies or antibody ‘libraries’ tailored towards improving certain therapeutic properties.
• Represent your ‘home team’ within matrix groups working towards developing therapeutic antibodies to a variety of ‘targets’ across a broad spectrum of diseases.
• Prepare and perform verbal and written scientific communications, requiring good organisation as well as a broader scientific knowledge.
• Contribute to non-lab based workstreams essential to the functioning of antibody discovery department
• undefined

Why you?

Essential Qualifications & Skills:

We are looking for professionals with these required skills to achieve our goals:

• BSc/MSc in life sciences or equivalent.
• Experience studying or researching aspects of biopharmaceutical drug discovery or antibody discovery methods.
• Some experience of lab-based molecular biology techniques
• Proactive, and an ability to adapt quickly to new scientific areas.
• Good analytical and data interpretation skills with the ability to troubleshoot.
• An ability to deploy the use of AI tools to enhance scientific or other work.
• Good scientific writing & verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively both as an individual and within a team.
• Ability to multitask and work across multiple projects simultaneously.

Preferred Qualifications & Skills:

If you have the following characteristics, it would be a plus:

• Direct hands-on experience of antibody display and/or directed evolution and associated protein engineering techniques.
• Experience of using AI-based tools for an antibody / protein application

Closing Date for Applications: Wednesday 28th October 2026

Please take a copy of the Job Description, as this will not be available post closure of the advert.

Skills

Biotechnology, Cell Biology, Data Quality, Following Instructions, Interpersonal Communication, Lab Maintenance, Life Science, Molecular Biology, Proper Documentation, Scientific Presentations, Scientific Research, Scientific Writing

Why GSK?

Uniting science, technology and talent to get ahead of disease together.

GSK is a global biopharma company with a purpose to unite science, technology and talent to get ahead of disease together. We aim to positively impact the health of 2.5 billion people by the end of the decade, as a successful, growing company where people can thrive.

We get ahead of disease by preventing and treating it with innovation in specialty medicines and vaccines. We focus on four therapeutic areas: respiratory, immunology and inflammation; oncology; HIV; and infectious diseases – to impact health at scale.

People and patients around the world count on the medicines and vaccines we make, so we’re committed to creating an environment where our people can thrive and focus on what matters most. Our culture of being ambitious for patients, accountable for impact and doing the right thing is the foundation for how, together, we deliver for patients, shareholders and our people.

GSK is an Equal Opportunity Employer. This ensures that all qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), parental status, national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), military service or any basis prohibited under federal, state or local law.

We believe in an agile working culture for all our roles. If flexibility is important to you, we encourage you to explore with our hiring team what the opportunities are.

Should you require any adjustments to our process to assist you in demonstrating your strengths and capabilities contact us at [e-mail] where you can also request a call.

Please note that if you are a US Licensed Healthcare Professional or Healthcare Professional as defined by the laws of the state issuing your license, GSK may be required to capture and report expenses GSK incurs, on your behalf, in the event you are afforded an interview for employment. This capture of applicable transfers of value is necessary to ensure GSK’s compliance to all federal and state US Transparency requirements. For more information, please visit the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) website at https://openpaymentsdata.cms.gov/